ike the © 'Torosdor," the Karl and the Girl" is now to Shanghai,' but its performance on Wednesday has established it favourite which will be gladly welcomed on future occasions. Neither the Bul nor the Girl ae rules new to the musical comedy stage, but they, represent type which are always popular, ans which, with Clever impersonators stich as they had Inst night, never tiza those in front. 'There is real earl'and a sham earl in the natural order of things, and equally right and proper is it' that the latter should "be reilly a watidering" mountebank and tonier, The real earl, who is unaware when the scene rises that he has come into the title, has.eloped with ar American millionaire's daughter, and is trying to avoid the angry father and also his own creditors. It isar his desire that Jim Cheese impersonates him at a fancy Gress ball at Stole Hall, and hardly has the mountebank assumed the part when the news of his acco-sion to the title of Earl of Stole is brought him by the family solicitor. Cheese accepts the situation with alacrity but with it finds he has to accept the millionaire father, " furious strong woman, and other little worries, and la the end he is glad enough to hand back title and all to the real owner. who takes the opportunity to settle matters all round. Such briefly is the rather scanty story, but the interest of the performance Ties in the eateby songs, the pretty dances, and bright dialogue' with which it Phe company quickly found their stride last night, and. once in it carried the house with them right through to the finish, even to condoning one of those patriotic choruses which are never happily introduced in Shanghai. Some of the earlier songs wore demanded again and again, and the audience would a dozen more verses of Behind" from Mr, Mark Lester, or "Sammy" from Miss Nora Morra. 'The two imported' numbers "The Nightingale's Trill" by Miss Leslie, and the grand old "Il Baccio" by Miss Elba, wore appreciated as showing the magnificent voices of two Indies who had little else to do, but the stars were also bountifully provided with good things musically. Miss (georgie Corlass had perhaps the best of all in "Zi picturesquely quaint business, and she made besides as charming an American heiress xs even an impelons earl miglio wish to meet, it.
tarry Cole was at the top of his form and had the members. of the Company, as well as thes" in front of the foot-agonies of laughter from the first humour is of the spontaneous surf er allowed to run riot. Thro Blind Mico" was a gem. Mr. D. B. O'Connor worked indefatigably as Dick Wargrave, and Miss Wilmott Karkeok's coster girl was a cloyer and amusing study. The orchestra was much better than on the first night.
To-night " La Poupée," which; strange to say, hus never before been presented in Shanghai, is to form the bill.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.